Drugs: A True Emergency

I’ve been to homes of parents whose children have been shot on the streets. Gangs and violence closed good, bright eyes before they could truly see the world. I’ve heard people cry in front of a hundred others as we marched to mourn with them the senseless death of a young person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I’ve taken the phone calls from people in La Jolla and Scripps Ranch who lament the loss of their children to cocaine, crystal and crack.They did not die on the streets, but they are dead to work and beauty nevertheless.

So it is with bitter reception that I met the immediate negative undertone in the questions from media about Mayor O’Connor’s call for a “state of emergency.” Time will tell if she is merely passing the buck to the governor.

Nevertheless, for the present, can we appreciate a metaphor? Are we so cynical that we cannot appreciate a creative political statement--one that has the potential to galvanize the people in a way that will produce funds to fight to save our children, to save our communities? An “emergency” does exist and not in Southeast San Diego alone.

Our city is under siege today, as more and more drug dealers and crystal makers from other sections of the country come here to exploit a naive community for filthy profit.It is an “emergency.” The crisis is gradually choking the life and heart out of our beautiful and great city.

Let’s not get trapped in our own strategic technicalities. The facts are simple: The state has $2.5 billion in unallocated resources, a significant portion of which must go to schools under the Constitution; the city of San Diego is suffering death and rising crime in the streets; and we need an infusion from the surplus to protect our future. But make no mistake about it, we will expect the city manager to fund the relief effort in this “emergency” should the governor turn a cold ear to our plea.

HERB L. CAWTHORNE

President and chief executive officer

The Urban League of San Diego